Transfixed by trials

Last November, Trump triumphed. Now, 100 days into his term, a truculent, troubled Trump is transfixed by trials and tribulations with Congress, the courts, and even his own troops.

His tries to transform trade, taxes, immigration, medical care and the environment aren’t translating. He transcended himself by welcoming a treacherous, traitorous Trojan (Russian) horse, to the trough.

His tweets and travails in governing have become a trite travesty — and yet, in spite of his trifecta, he triples down. A dose of The Donald triggering traditional values, truthfulness and transparency would, in his own words, be huge — even terrific!

Dave Zunkel

Warrenton

Kept his word

President Trump keeps his word. He’s appointed Justice Gorsuch and an expert cabinet. He continues to eliminate regulations that have stifled economic growth; enforce immigration laws; change foreign policy for America’s security; change policies for stronger defense and needs of veterans; change energy policy toward oil independence; change law enforcement policies for safer communities; and set stronger policies against drug trafficking.

President Trump is working closely with Congress to revise the tax system and health care system. And, he’s rebuffed unprecedented attempts by disappointed Democrats and outrageously biased journalists to negate his election.

All-in-all a most successful first 100 days.

Don Haskell

Astoria

Still pondering

Ponderings. Sourdough starter is just getting good in 100 days. Give it a year or two; then taste those biscuits. Maybe President Trump just needs time to marinate.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president of my “world” in 1933. I was 1 year old. In April 1945, he suddenly died. Mother was crying; father was saying bad words. We sat soberly around the radio.

President Roosevelt was only 82 days into his fourth term. Democrat or Republican, didn’t seem to matter back then. We loved him. No television to tell us otherwise.

One hundred days behind us? Still pondering.

Emma V. Edwards

Warrenton

The clown wins

America, fed up to here with a corrupt, bought-and-paid-for political establishment in Washington, D.C., elected a flamboyant and narcissistic huckster, famous mostly for being famous and ostentatiously flaunting the vast wealth he inherited from his dad. Given a choice between this evil clown and the status quo … well, of course they chose the clown. I think this says more about the state of our politics than it does about the American people or Donald Trump.

“When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it.” Clarence Darrow (1857-1938)

Joseph Stevenson

Astoria

Just less

Less respect from the world. Less security. Less inclusive. Less kind. Less informed. Less knowledgeable. Less involved. Less courage. Less humor. Less of a leader. Less facts. Less than he promised. Less class. Less for science. Less for clean air. Less for clean water. Less for our national parks. Less safety in the workplace. Less respect for women. Less help for those that suffer. Less for art. Less for science. Less hope from our historic light of freedom shining in the world.

Rich Kraft

Astoria

Three words

Bigly disaster. Sad.

Beatrice Michel

Tillamook

Schoolyard bully

Since this awful man, who seems to dislike us all, even his beautiful wife, became the leader of the free world, it’s the only time in my life when I can honestly say that I have hated being right. I knew what a jackass he would be. Once he won, I started hoping for the best, wishing somehow this overly entitled schoolyard bully would be chastened by the enormity of his task. That he would wise up, display strengths we never knew he had, and pull something deeper out of himself. I’m desolate again to realize I was wrong.

Joanne Rideout

Astoria

New circus in town

Come one, come all! There’s a new circus in town. It’s huge, tremendous and big league. Besides the unusual cast of characters, whose talents are untried and really dangerous, there is now an unpresidented new ringleader.  

True, he looks like a clown and acts like one, too, but consider his amazing feats of accomplishment in just 100 days of leadership: The jugglers perform upside down. Really. The acrobats even know how to spin the truth. The animals are running faster for their lives than ever before. And chain smoking inside is OK now, too, because everyone is already choking.

Cynthia Adamson

Warrenton

Apologies

I feel the need to apologize to all the immigrants, especially Hispanics, in our community, for the additional stress and fear they are enduring due to our crazy politics. I know Trump and his policies scare you. They scare me, too. As a patriot, I find it deeply ironic that you are made to feel unwelcome here at the very time our country is in such need of what you bring to us: We need your sense of honor, your hatred of injustice and your corazon. We need your good cooking, too. 

Joseph Webb

Astoria

‘Nuff said

Donald Trump: I cannot share my tax returns because I’m being audited and my very expensive, quality, financial advisers tell me so. Also, I know the tax code better than anyone else.

Mr. John Koskinen, commissioner of the IRS has stated clearly in public that they have no restrictions on any taxpayer releasing their tax returns to the press, or anyone else, whether or not they are being audited.

Mexico is going to pay for the wall. We’ll use taxpayers’ money for it?

Trump, Republican health plans — missing in action?

’Nuff said.

Chuck Meyer

Astoria

The real Trump

To make Donald Trump appear real, I turn to fiction. In Knut Hamsun’s novel “Mysteries,” the main character says he’ll stand against the world and never give up because he is right. When challenged, he says he will discard what he said, and come up with something better.

Ogden Nash ends his poem “Who Did Which? Or Who Indeed?” with, “And I’d rather have my facts all wrong than have no facts whatever.”

Shakespeare’s Henry IV shows that kings often use a foreign war to distract subjects from domestic problems. These authors wall in the true Donald Trump.

Rex Amos

Cannon Beach

It’s not normal

The climate-change-denier (who I did not vote for) has shown that he is an impulsive narcissist, divisive bombastic buffoon, misogynist lacking sensitivity, delusional obnoxious egotist, arrogant racist, attention-seeking braggart, clueless bigot, short-sighted egomaniac and an offensive liar who is reckless, dangerous and scary.

His abrasive phony con game is a disgrace, unpresidential and shows he is untrustworthy, and a pathetic opportunist who is disconnected, dysfunctional, unprepared and an embarrassment to the office of U.S. President. It’s not normal.

Where are his taxes? Stop with the tweeting and social media already! Support clean renewable energy for jobs; coal is yesterday.

LaRee Johnson

Astoria

My awakening

The first 100 days of the Trump presidency have forced me to recognize that he really is a scoundrel and a charlatan. He threatens world peace, Mother Earth and our precious democracy, especially the principles of liberty and equality.

In the first 100 days of his administration he has pushed me to attend city council meetings, a town hall, an indivisibility meeting, the women’s march, and the Earth Say rally. I have joined the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council. My awakening is an accomplishment of the president’s first 100 days.

Cathy Cruikshank

Astoria

Oblivious

Trump is the most embarrassing leader of the U.S. I’ve seen in my 63 as a naturalized citizen. I mention that so he doesn’t try to deport me somewhere. He’s an aggressive, bullying, bombastic, hypocritical, misinformed, uninformed boob. Pathological lying is his trademark.

Nepotism, favoritism, and lucrative business deals for the presidency are the new themes of the White House. Apathy to the ecology of our country, as well as the rest of the world, are Trump’s themes. He is an elitist, bigoted, narcissist, oblivious to ever having had to live a normal working man’s life.

Tom Dent

Vancouver, Washington

Notice to Trump

‘Beware the Ides of Trump,” an acrostic poem

Omen

Notice to Trump … No. 1 — Gutting the

Environmental Protection Agency.

How can clean air, water, climate make him

Utter, “They’re

Not necessary.”

Deciding to redirect Planned Parenthood,

Returning to times of no caring.

Education … What’s that? Putting

Devos in as secretary.

Declaring that public lands

And monuments are up for grabs.

Yes, reopening the XL Pipeline through

Sioux tribal lands, and

Offering no moral reasons; only

Follow the money without

Thinking about our people, our land, our planet.

Raising a border wall between Mexico and the

United States: Immigrants are not people. And last,

Mounting military

Presence with North Korea.

Martha Williams

Long Beach, Washington

An embarrassment

Trump is a vulgar, venal man with a very limited vocabulary and no real vision for America. He stages rallies to boost his fragile self-esteem. He makes irrational promises, such as that he will build a wall that Mexico will pay for.

He is not president to serve his country. He became president to advance his ego, his position and his company, and that is all he has done since he became president. He has not done the hard work of figuring out compromises so important legislation can be passed. He is an embarrassment to America around the world.

Jean Hooge

Astoria

Signs of the times

Astoria Women’s March signs of the times:

Walk with us if you believe in democracy.

Safety, civility, and a healthy planet.

Dissent is patriotic.

Nasty women and men stand together.

Adam and even

Ovaries are not a pre-existing condition.

I stand with Planned Parenthood.

Immigrants are welcome!

Build bridges, not walls.

Community not categories.

Dignity for all.

Injustice anywhere is a threat

To justice everywhere!

Support a principled press.

Pay attention – make noise.

Be fierce!

Speak truth even if your voice shakes.

Science is not fiction.

We the people.

Make America kind again.

Nice matters.

My planet, my future.

Mary Neerhout

Seaside

Don’t give up

We all deserve better than Donald Trump.

History, the world, the nation,

Our community, the environment,

Women, elderly, children,

Teachers, artists, musicians,

Workers, retirees, immigrants,

The poor, the sick,

Democrats and even Republicans.

How did it come to this?

Consider the common good before yourself and your clan.

Vote, be vigilant, speak up,

Resist, protest, endure.

Embrace diversity, accept differences,

Live ethically, be honest, be kind.

Happy days will come again.

Don’t give up, don’t lose hope, and don’t give in.

And by the way, save the parks and public radio.

Janet Bowler

Astoria

Anarchy and chaos

‘Make America Great Again”? If the goal of Trump supporters was anarchy and chaos, they should be well pleased. The rest of the world continues to stare, mouths agape at Trump’s bullying, lies and atrocious behavior. His abysmal treatment of the fourth estate makes one wonder what other debauchery he is trying to cover up. The man’s racism and bigotry has encouraged the same in people who strive to emulate him. Once someone exhibits these traits, when their true feelings are unmasked, it can’t be unseen — causing more distrust and division, further tearing the very fabric of our nation.

Mary Schnase

Astoria

Trump’s ABCs

ABCs of Trump’s first 100 days

Authoritarianism

Bigotry

Corruption

Disrespect, danger, defunding diplomacy

Empty promises

Family enrichment

Great is what America won’t be

Hidden agendas

Ikea makes better cabinets

Jared and Ivanka: chief brand-protectors, babysitters

Keeping secret Trump’s taxes, Russian ties, visitor logs

Lies and lies about the lies

Mean-spirited: misogyny, migrants, Muslims, medical care

Nationalistic, nativist nightmare

Oligarchs: American, Russian

Puppets of far-right extremists

Quit already!

Resist and Persist!

Stolen Supreme Court seat

Tiny hands, mind, soul

Undoing Bill of Rights

Vladimar Putin

Working to cash in

X-ing out truth, facts, science

Yo-yo policies, practices

Zoo: the White House

Laurie Caplan

Astoria

Long overdue

If liberty means anything, it’s the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear. Donald Trump has done exactly that.

From his executive order banning people from certain Muslim countries; to putting sanctuary cities on notice that they are breaking the law; slowing H1B visas where U.S. companies hire foreign over native-born and trying to secure our southern border.

What he is doing is long overdue, regardless of what the left, and some on the right, say.

Trump has done more for this country and the working class in 100 days than Obama did in eight years.

Robert L. Boehm

Clifton

Two things

Trump has successfully accomplished two things in his first 100 days:

1. To bring out of the closet and condone the darkest side of our confused society; flaunting selfishness, greed, bigotry, misogyny and indifference to poverty and illness, playing on hatred and fear. The seeds of the Third Reich were planted with the slogan, “Make Germany Great Again.” That was not so great.

2. Awakening a renewed compassion to rectify this nightmare by resistance to this destructive agenda, and extend kindness to those less fortunate than we are.

There is light on the other side of this darkness.

Terrie Remington

Astoria

‘Major conflict’

Arrogance, insults, mockery, intolerance, fear, division, hate, “drain the swamp,” indifference, AltRight, nationalism, prejudice, KKK, dog whistle, “lock her up,” misogyny, threats, bully pulpit, tweets, Russian interference, denials, “pussy,” lies, brag, manipulation, deception, tax returns, scams, Trump University, “fake news,” “wiretaps,” “Muslim ban,” “repeal Obamacare,” “build the wall,” contradictions, ratings, executive orders, “so-called judges,” media the “enemy,” immigrants, Putin, spies, money, emoluments, nepotism, paranoia, investigations, billionaires, women’s march, DAPL, coal, jobs, global protests, resist, “alternate facts,” sanctions, scandal, climate change denial, bombs, antagonism, “boy talk,” revenge, money, power, national security, accountability, NATO, cover up, “major, major conflict.”

Connie Crossley

Astoria

‘Power corrupts’

Trump No. 45 is an embarrassment to our country. The only good is that he is making the comedians popular. Signing executive orders is an easy way out, since no congressional approval is needed. An abuse of power: “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Millions and millions of dollars are being spent protecting his family — that money could be spent in many other ways. It is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

He is a disgrace — insisting that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. How low can a person go?

Cherry Harris

Gearhart

Still protected

Trump’s term is horrifying. However, it occurs that this man is a gift to us all. Yes, he is morally and ethically impoverished, appearing to have the social skills of a second-grader. Almost every issue he backs spells disaster for many, or the earth itself. Yet, his blanket refusal to accept any authority but his own has reminded the nation that citizens are still protected from his ilk. By our Constitution.

The laws he seeks to abolish were established long before he was elected, and will protect life, liberty and the pursuit of justice long after he is gone.

Sandy Rea

Seaside

Spicer will explain

This not so massive missive concerns The Donald’s rotten, no good, horrible, very bad 100 days.

He had discovered an amazing, sad mess! He would instantly build a wall, re-employ coal miners, banish illegals of color, cancel obsolete alliances, expose the hoax of global warming.

This total disgrace was plotted by that wiretapping foreigner from Hawaii, Obama, conspiring with nasty, lying loser Hillary, using alternative facts. He had been cheated! Instant success and adoration was not forthcoming.
He would get even. Golf, tweets, a call to Bannon. This would change disaster to brilliant revenge. Mexico would pay. Spicer would explain.

John and Sherri Crawford

Astoria

Thank God

Americans can thank God that he has given us a Christian president —Donald J. Trump.

President Trump has placed a pro-life judge, Neil Gorsuch, on the U.S. Supreme Court. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the life of the unborn person. Life begins at conception. Abortion stops a beating heart and is murder.

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Pick up your game

The first season of the new reality show “Washington Train Wreck” wound up last week with ‘The Donald’ still tripping over his own feet and spewing the same tired platitudes and incoherent tweets that initially made him a household favorite with TV viewers everywhere. Fans and world leaders wait and wonder: what crazy stuff will this nincompoop say or do next? Open up a casino in the basement of the White House? How about another war to spice up season two — the four we’re fighting now are getting boooooring! Pick up your game Donny or we’re gonna change the channel.

Alan Grimstock

Astoria

Oblivious

Trump is the most embarrassing leader of the U.S. I’ve seen in my 63 as a naturalized citizen. I mention that so he doesn’t try to deport me somewhere. He’s an aggressive, bullying, bombastic, hypocritical, misinformed, uninformed boob. Pathological lying is his trademark.

Nepotism, favoritism, and lucrative business deals for the presidency are the new themes of the White House. Apathy to the ecology of our country, as well as the rest of the world, are Trump’s themes. He is an elitist, bigoted, narcissist, oblivious to ever having had to live a normal working man’s life.

Tom Dent

Vancouver, Washington